U.S. patent number 10,231,131 [Application Number 15/649,375] was granted by the patent office on 2019-03-12 for autonomous uplink (ul) transmission in new radio-spectrum sharing (nr-ss).
This patent grant is currently assigned to QUALCOMM Incorporated. The grantee listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Aleksandar Damnjanovic, Siddhartha Mallik, Juan Montojo, Taesang Yoo, Xiaoxia Zhang.
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United States Patent |
10,231,131 |
Zhang , et al. |
March 12, 2019 |
Autonomous uplink (UL) transmission in new radio-spectrum sharing
(NR-SS)
Abstract
Wireless communications systems and methods related to
autonomous uplink transmission in a shared spectrum are provided. A
first wireless communication device identifies a transmission
opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by the plurality of
network operating entities. The first wireless communication device
is associated with a first network operating entity of the
plurality of network operating entities. The first wireless
communication device identifies a resource in the TXOP designated
for autonomous communication. The first wireless communication
device communicates autonomous data with a second wireless
communication device associated with the first network operating
entity during the TXOP using the resource.
Inventors: |
Zhang; Xiaoxia (San Diego,
CA), Montojo; Juan (San Diego, CA), Mallik;
Siddhartha (San Diego, CA), Damnjanovic; Aleksandar (Del
Mar, CA), Yoo; Taesang (San Diego, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
QUALCOMM Incorporated (San
Diego, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
60574775 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/649,375 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180206127 A1 |
Jul 19, 2018 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62446224 |
Jan 13, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W
72/10 (20130101); H04W 72/0413 (20130101); H04W
16/14 (20130101); H04W 74/0833 (20130101); H04W
74/0816 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04W
72/04 (20090101); H04W 16/14 (20090101); H04W
72/10 (20090101); H04W 74/08 (20090101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Ericsson: "On Autonomous UL Transmissions for NR in Unlicensed
Spectrum", 3GPP Draft; R1-1612779, 3rd Generation Partnership
Project (3GPP), Mobile Competence Centre; 650, Route Des Lucioles;
F-06921 Sophia-Anti Polis Cedex; France, vol. RAN WG1, no. Reno,
USA; Nov. 13, 2016, XP051176721, Retrieved from the Internet:
URL:http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Meetings_3GPP_SYNC/RAN1/Docs/
[retrieved on Nov. 13, 2016], 3 pages. cited by applicant .
International Search Report and Written
Opinion--PCT/US2017/063321--ISA/EPO--dated Feb. 20, 2018. cited by
applicant .
Qualcomm Incorporated: "Advanced Frame Structure", 3GPP Draft;
R1-1610132, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Mobile
Competence Centre; 650, Route Des Lucioles; F-06921
Sophia-Antipolis Cedex; France, vol. RAN WG1, No. Lisbon, Portugal;
Oct. 1, 2016, XP051159935, Retrieved from the Internet:
URL:http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_ran/WG1_RL1/TSGR1_86b/Docs
[retrieved on Oct. 1, 2016], 9 pages. cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Brandt; Christopher M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Haynes and Boone, LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to and the benefit of the
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/446,224, filed Jan. 13,
2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as
if fully set forth below and for all applicable purposes.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of wireless communication, comprising: identifying, by
a first wireless communication device associated with a first
network operating entity of a plurality of network operating
entities, a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum
shared by the plurality of network operating entities; identifying,
by the first wireless communication device, a resource in the TXOP
designated for autonomous communication without a prior reservation
for the TXOP; and communicating, by the first wireless
communication device with a second wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, autonomous data
during the TXOP using the resource without a prior reservation for
the TXOP.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource includes a frequency
band in the shared spectrum, and wherein the frequency band is
shared by the plurality of network operating entities for the
autonomous communication.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the communicating the autonomous
data during the TXOP includes transmitting, by the first wireless
communication device to the second wireless communication device in
an uplink (UL) direction, the autonomous data without a prior
reservation for the TXOP.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the communicating the autonomous
data during the TXOP includes receiving, by the first wireless
communication device from the second wireless communication device,
the autonomous data without a prior reservation for the TXOP.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource includes a time
period in the TXOP designated for the autonomous communication by
the first network operating entity, and wherein the first network
operating entity has priority among the plurality of network
operating entities in the TXOP.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: transmitting, by the
first wireless communication device, a reservation signal to
reserve another TXOP for regular communication, wherein the another
TXOP includes a first time period and a second time period, and
wherein the first time period is designated for autonomous
communication; and communicating, by the first wireless
communication device with a third wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, regular data
during the second time period.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein a second network operating entity
of the plurality of network operating entities has priority among
the plurality of network operating entities in the another TXOP,
and wherein the first time period of the another TXOP is designated
for the autonomous communication by the second network operating
entity without a prior reservation for the another TXOP.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the autonomous data includes at
least one of a scheduling request, a random access preamble
sequence associated with the first network operating entity, or a
random access preamble sequence associated with the plurality of
network operating entities.
9. A method of wireless communication, comprising: identifying, by
a first wireless communication device associated with a first
network operating entity of a plurality of network operating
entities, a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum
shared by the plurality of network operating entities; and
communicating, by the first wireless communication device, with a
second wireless communication device associated with the first
network operating entity, autonomous data in the TXOP without a
prior reservation for the TXOP.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the communicating the autonomous
data includes transmitting, by the first wireless communication
device to the second wireless communication device, the autonomous
data in the TXOP.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: detecting, by the
first wireless communication device, a reservation signal
indicating a reservation for the TXOP from a second network
operating entity of the plurality of network operating entities;
and determining, by the first wireless communication device, a
transmit power level according to a received power level of the
reservation signal, wherein the autonomous data is transmitted at
the transmit power level.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the communicating the autonomous
data includes receiving, by the first wireless communication device
from the second wireless communication device, the autonomous data
in the TXOP.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: communicating, by
the first wireless communication device with a third wireless
communication device associated with the first network operating
entity, a reservation for another TXOP for regular communication;
receiving, by the first wireless communication device from the
third wireless communication device, a signal carrying regular data
during the another TXOP; and canceling, by the first wireless
communication device, interference from the signal carrying the
regular data, wherein the interference is associated with
autonomous transmission of a second network operating entity of the
plurality of network operating entities.
14. The method of claim 9, further comprising transmitting, by the
first wireless communication device, a reservation to reserve
another TXOP for autonomous communication.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving, by the
first wireless communication device from a third wireless
communication device associated with the first network operating
entity, autonomous data during the another TXOP.
16. An apparatus comprising: a processor configured to: identify a
transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by a
plurality of network operating entities, wherein the apparatus is
associated with a first network operating entity of the plurality
of network operating entities; and identify a resource in the TXOP
designated for autonomous communication without a prior reservation
for the TXOP; and a transceiver configured to communicate, with a
second wireless communication device associated with the first
network operating entity, autonomous data during the TXOP using the
resource without a prior reservation for the TXOP.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resource includes a
frequency band in the shared spectrum, and wherein the frequency
band is shared by the plurality of network operating entities for
the autonomous communication.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the transceiver is further
configured to communicate the autonomous data during the TXOP by
transmitting, to the second wireless communication device in an
uplink (UL) direction, the autonomous data without a prior
reservation for the TXOP.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor is further
configured to communicate the autonomous data during the TXOP by
receiving, from the second wireless communication device, the
autonomous data without a prior reservation for the TXOP.
20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resource includes a time
period in the TXOP designated for the autonomous communication by
the first network operating entity, and wherein the first network
operating entity has priority among the plurality of network
operating entities in the TXOP.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the transceiver is further
configured to: transmit a reservation signal to reserve another
TXOP for regular communication, wherein the another TXOP includes a
first time period and a second time period, and wherein the first
time period is designated for autonomous communication; and
communicate, with a third wireless communication device associated
with the first network operating entity, regular data during the
second time period.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein a second network operating
entity of the plurality of network operating entities has priority
among the plurality of network operating entities in the another
TXOP, and wherein the first time period of the another TXOP is
designated for the autonomous communication by the second network
operating entity without a prior reservation for the another
TXOP.
23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the autonomous data includes
at least one of a scheduling request, a random access preamble
sequence associated with the first network operating entity, or a
random access preamble sequence associated with the plurality of
network operating entities.
24. An apparatus comprising: a processor configured to identify a
transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by a
plurality of network operating entities, wherein the apparatus is
associated with a first network operating entity of the plurality
of network operating entities; and a transceiver configured to
communicate, with a second wireless communication device associated
with the first network operating entity, autonomous data in the
TXOP without a prior reservation for the TXOP.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is further
configured to communicate the autonomous data by transmitting, to
the second wireless communication device, the autonomous data in
the TXOP.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor is further
configured to: detect a reservation signal indicating a reservation
for the TXOP from a second network operating entity of the
plurality of network operating entities; and determine a transmit
power level according to a received power level of the reservation
signal, wherein the autonomous data is transmitted at the transmit
power level.
27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is further
configured to communicate the autonomous data by receiving, from
the second wireless communication device, the autonomous data in
the TXOP.
28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the transceiver is further
configured to: communicate, with a third wireless communication
device associated with the first network operating entity, a
reservation for another TXOP for regular communication; receive,
from the third wireless communication device, a signal carrying
regular data during the another TXOP; and cancel interference from
the signal carrying the regular data, wherein the interference is
associated with autonomous transmission of a second network
operating entity of the plurality of network operating
entities.
29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the transceiver is further
configured to transmit a reservation to reserve another TXOP for
autonomous communication.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the transceiver is further
configured to receive, from a third wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, autonomous data
during the another TXOP.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This application relates to wireless communication systems, and
more particularly to transmitting uplink (UL) autonomous data in a
shared frequency spectrum shared by multiple network operating
entities.
INTRODUCTION
Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide
various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet
data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable
of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the
available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power).
Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division
multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access
(TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems,
and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems,
(e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system). A wireless
multiple-access communications system may include a number of base
stations (BSs), each simultaneously supporting communication for
multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as
user equipment (UE).
A wireless communications system may operate over a shared
spectrum, meaning that the wireless communications system includes
one or more frequency bands that may be shared by multiple network
operating entities. The shared spectrum may include unlicensed
spectrum and/or licensed spectrum. In some instances, multiple
network operating entities may share their licensed spectrum with
each other to better utilize the spectrum. In some other instances,
multiple network operating entities may obtain a licensed spectrum
together.
Use of the available band spectrum may then be subject to a
contention procedure that may involve the use of a medium-sensing
procedure. For example, to avoid interference between different
devices or between devices operated by different network operating
entities, the wireless communications system may employ
medium-sensing procedures, such as listen-before-talk (LBT), to
ensure a particular channel is clear before transmitting a message.
Medium-sensing procedures may utilize substantial signaling
overhead and may result in increased latency, thus adversely
affecting the use of shared spectrum by multiple network operating
entities.
One approach to reducing medium-sensing signaling overheads is to
employ a priority-based coordinated access scheme for spectrum
sharing. In a priority-based coordinated access scheme, a shared
spectrum is partitioned into multiple time periods. Each time
period is designated for a particular type of access. For example,
a time period can be allocated to a particular network operator for
exclusive access of the shared spectrum, where no reservation from
the particular network operator is required. Alternatively, a time
period can be shared among multiple network operators on a priority
basis with reservations. For example, a high priority network
operator may have priority or guaranteed access of the shared
spectrum in a time period, but requires a prior reservation of the
time period. When the high priority network operator does not
reserve the time period, a low priority network operator can
opportunistically access the shared spectrum in the time
period.
Autonomous communications are typically timing critical and may
have strict latency requirements. The time-division multiplexing
(TDM) nature of the priority-based coordinated access scheme may
not meet the latency requirement of time-critical traffic.
Accordingly, improved procedures for spectrum sharing with
autonomous communication support are desirable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES
The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to
provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This
summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features
of the disclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or
critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate
the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose
is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the
disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
For example, in an aspect of the disclosure, a method of wireless
communication includes identifying, by a first wireless
communication device associated with a first network operating
entity of a plurality of network operating entities, a transmission
opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by the plurality of
network operating entities; identifying, by the first wireless
communication device, a resource in the TXOP designated for
autonomous communication; and communicating, by the first wireless
communication device with a second wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, autonomous data
during the TXOP using the resource.
In an additional aspect of the disclosure, a method of wireless
communication includes identifying, by a first wireless
communication device associated with a first network operating
entity of a plurality of network operating entities, a transmission
opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by the plurality of
network operating entities; and communicating, by the first
wireless communication device, with a second wireless communication
device associated with the first network operating entity,
autonomous data in the TXOP without a prior reservation for the
TXOP.
In an additional aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes a
processor configured to identify a transmission opportunity (TXOP)
in a shared spectrum shared by a plurality of network operating
entities, wherein the apparatus is associated with a first network
operating entity of the plurality of network operating entities;
and identify a resource in the TXOP designated for autonomous
communication; and a transceiver configured to communicate, with a
second wireless communication device associated with the first
network operating entity, autonomous data during the TXOP using the
resource.
In an additional aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes a
processor configured to identify a transmission opportunity (TXOP)
in a shared spectrum shared by a plurality of network operating
entities, wherein the apparatus is associated with a first network
operating entity of the plurality of network operating entities;
and a transceiver configured to communicate, with a second wireless
communication device associated with the first network operating
entity, autonomous data in the TXOP without a prior reservation for
the TXOP.
In an additional aspect of the disclosure, a computer-readable
medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code
includes code for causing a first wireless communication device
associated with a first network operating entity of a plurality of
network operating entities to identify a transmission opportunity
(TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by the plurality of network
operating entities; code for causing the first wireless
communication device to identify a resource in the TXOP designated
for autonomous communication; and code for causing the first
wireless communication device to communicate with a second wireless
communication device associated with the first network operating
entity, autonomous data during the TXOP using the resource.
In an additional aspect of the disclosure, a computer-readable
medium of wireless communication includes code for causing a first
wireless communication device associated with a first network
operating entity of a plurality of network operating entities to
identify a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum
shared by the plurality of network operating entities; and code for
causing the first wireless communication device to communicate,
with a second wireless communication device associated with the
first network operating entity, autonomous data in the TXOP without
a prior reservation for the TXOP.
In an additional aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes
means for identifying a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared
spectrum shared by a plurality of network operating entities,
wherein the apparatus is associated with a first network operating
entity of the plurality of network operating entities; and means
for identifying a resource in the TXOP designated for autonomous
communication; and means for communicating, with a second wireless
communication device associated with the first network operating
entity, autonomous data during the TXOP using the resource.
In an additional aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus includes
means for identifying a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared
spectrum shared by a plurality of network operating entities,
wherein the apparatus is associated with a first network operating
entity of the plurality of network operating entities; and means
for communicating, with a second wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, autonomous data
in the TXOP without a prior reservation for the TXOP.
Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present invention
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, upon
reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary
embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the
accompanying figures. While features of the present invention may
be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures below, all
embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of the
advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while one
or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous
features, one or more of such features may also be used in
accordance with the various embodiments of the invention discussed
herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may be
discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it should
be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in
various devices, systems, and methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication network according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications network
that supports priority-based spectrum sharing according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates a priority-based spectrum sharing scheme
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary user equipment (UE)
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary base station (BS)
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates an uplink (UL) autonomous transmission scheme
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 illustrates a UL autonomous transmission scheme according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 illustrates a UL autonomous transmission scheme according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 illustrates a UL autonomous transmission scheme according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method of UL autonomous
communication over a shared spectrum according to embodiments of
the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method of UL autonomous
communication over a shared spectrum according to embodiments of
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the
appended drawings, is intended as a description of various
configurations and is not intended to represent the only
configurations in which the concepts described herein may be
practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for
the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various
concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that these concepts may be practiced without these specific
details. In some instances, well-known structures and components
are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such
concepts.
The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless
communication networks such as code-division multiple access
(CDMA), time-division multiple access (TDMA), frequency-division
multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency-division multiple
access (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) and other networks.
The terms "network" and "system" are often used interchangeably. A
CDMA network may implement a radio technology such as Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes
Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. cdma2000 covers
IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement a
radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications
(GSM). An OFDMA network may implement a radio technology such as
Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11
(Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDMA, etc. UTRA
and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
(UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are
new releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE,
LTE-A and GSM are described in documents from an organization named
"3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are
described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation
Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may
be used for the wireless networks and radio technologies mentioned
above as well as other wireless networks and radio technologies,
such as a next generation (e.g., 5.sup.th Generation (5G) operating
in mmWav bands) network.
One approach to supporting autonomous communication in a
priority-based coordinated spectrum sharing scheme is to reserve a
dedicated frequency band in a shared spectrum for each network
operating entity to communicate autonomously (e.g., without a
schedule). Some examples of autonomous communication may include
ultra-reliability low latency communication (URLLC) traffic and
physical random access channel (PRACH) transmissions. To meet the
bandwidth requirements of PRACH transmissions, each dedicated
frequency band is required to span a substantial amount of
bandwidth (e.g., about 5 megahertz (MHz)). When multiple network
operators are present, the frequency or bandwidth overhead of the
dedicated frequency bands is significant. In addition, when a
network operator has no autonomous transmission, the dedicated
frequency band is unused and results in medium loss. Thus, the use
of a dedicated frequency band per network operator is
inefficient.
Another approach is to reserve a single dedicated frequency band in
a shared spectrum for autonomous communications by all network
operating entities. The network operating entities may
opportunistically access the dedicated frequency band for
autonomous communications based on reservations, for example, using
request-to-send (RTS) and clear-to-send (CTS) signaling mechanisms.
However, the reservation signaling overheads may be excessive when
the autonomous communication carries URLLC data, which are
typically small in size (e.g., a few bits or a few bytes).
The present disclosure describes uplink (UL) autonomous
transmission mechanisms in a shared spectrum shared by multiple
network operating entities. In a priority-based spectrum sharing
scheme, a shared spectrum is time-partitioned into transmission
opportunities (TXOPs). Each TXOP is designated for prioritized use
by a prioritized or high priority network operating entity and
opportunistic use by low priority network operating entities based
on reservations. In one embodiment, a TXOP may include a dedicated
resource for UL autonomous transmissions. The TXOPs may be
configured with the dedicated resource based on a duty cycle. For
example, the dedicated resource may be a dedicated frequency band
in the shared spectrum, where dedicated frequency band is shared by
the multiple network operating entities. Alternatively, the
dedicate resource may be a time period within the TXOP, where the
time period is assigned to a prioritized network operating entity
of the TXOP. In another embodiment, a node of a particular network
operating entity may transmit UL autonomous data in a TXOP
concurrently with transmissions of another network operating entity
that has reserved or gained access to the TXOP. The transmit power
level of the UL autonomous data may controlled via interference
management. In another embodiment, a network operating entity may
reserve a TXOP for UL autonomous communication without knowing
whether the TXOP is required.
The present disclosure may provide several benefits. For example,
the allocation of dedicated resources in a TXOP for UL autonomous
transmissions may reduce transmission latency of time-critical
data. The use of a dedicated frequency band among the multiple
network operating entities or a time portion of a TXOP for UL
autonomous transmissions can improve resource utilization
efficiency. The use of interference management to allow for
simultaneous UL autonomous transmissions of one network operating
entity and other transmissions of another network operating entity,
and thus may reduce transmission latency of time-critical data. The
additional reservations for UL autonomous communications can also
improve transmission latency of time-critical data. The disclosed
embodiments are suitable for use in coverage areas including macro
cells and small cells. The disclosed embodiments are compatible
with any wireless communication protocol.
FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication network 100 according
to embodiments of the present disclosure. The network 100 includes
BSs 105, UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some embodiments, the
network 100 operates over a shared spectrum. The shared spectrum
may be unlicensed or partially licensed to one or more network
operators. Access to the spectrum may be limited and may be
controlled by a separate coordination entity. In some embodiments,
the network 100 may be a LTE or LTE-A network. In yet other
embodiments, the network 100 may be a millimeter wave (mmW)
network, a new radio (NR) network, a 5G network, or any other
successor network to LTE. The network 100 may be operated by more
than one network operator. Wireless resources may be partitioned
and arbitrated among the different network operators for
coordinated communication between the network operators over the
network 100.
The BSs 105 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 115 via one or
more BS antennas. Each BS 105 may provide communication coverage
for a respective geographic coverage area 110. In 3GPP, the term
"cell" can refer to this particular geographic coverage area of a
BS and/or a BS subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on
the context in which the term is used. In this regard, a BS 105 may
provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a
femto cell, and/or other types of cell. A macro cell generally
covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers
in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service
subscriptions with the network provider. A pico cell may generally
cover a relatively smaller geographic area and may allow
unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the
network provider. A femto cell may also generally cover a
relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and, in addition to
unrestricted access, may also provide restricted access by UEs
having an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed
subscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, and the like). A
BS for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS for a
pico cell may be referred to as a pico BS. A BS for a femto cell
may be referred to as a femto BS or a home BS. In the example shown
in FIG. 1, the BSs 105a, 105b and 105c are examples of macro BSs
for the coverage areas 110a, 110b and 110c, respectively. The BSs
105d is an example of a pico BS or a femto BS for the coverage area
110d. As will be recognized, a BS 105 may support one or multiple
(e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells.
Communication links 125 shown in the network 100 may include uplink
(UL) transmissions from a UE 115 to a BS 105, or downlink (DL)
transmissions, from a BS 105 to a UE 115. The UEs 115 may be
dispersed throughout the network 100, and each UE 115 may be
stationary or mobile. A UE 115 may also be referred to as a mobile
station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a
wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a
wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile
subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a
wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a
mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. A UE
115 may also be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a
handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless
phone, a personal electronic device, a handheld device, a personal
computer, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of
things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, a
machine type communication (MTC) device, an appliance, an
automobile, or the like.
The BSs 105 may communicate with the core network 130 and with one
another. The core network 130 may provide user authentication,
access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP)
connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. At
least some of the BSs 105 (e.g., which may be an example of an
evolved NodeB (eNB) or an access node controller (ANC)) may
interface with the core network 130 through backhaul links 132
(e.g., S1, S2, etc.) and may perform radio configuration and
scheduling for communication with the UEs 115. In various examples,
the BSs 105 may communicate, either directly or indirectly (e.g.,
through core network 130), with each other over backhaul links 134
(e.g., X1, X2, etc.), which may be wired or wireless communication
links.
Each BS 105 may also communicate with a number of UEs 115 through a
number of other BSs 105, where the BS 105 may be an example of a
smart radio head. In alternative configurations, various functions
of each BS 105 may be distributed across various BSs 105 (e.g.,
radio heads and access network controllers) or consolidated into a
single BS 105.
In some implementations, the network 100 utilizes orthogonal
frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) on the downlink and
single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the UL.
OFDM and SC-FDM partition the system bandwidth into multiple (K)
orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred to as
tones, bins, or the like. Each subcarrier may be modulated with
data. In general, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency
domain with OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDM. The spacing
between adjacent subcarriers may be fixed, and the total number of
subcarriers (K) may be dependent on the system bandwidth. The
system bandwidth may also be partitioned into sub-bands.
In an embodiment, the BSs 105 can assign or schedule transmission
resources (e.g., in the form of time-frequency resource blocks) for
DL and UL transmissions in the network 100. The communication can
be in the form of radio frames. A radio frame may be divided into a
plurality of subframes, for example, about 10. Each subframe can be
divided into slots, for example, about 2. In a frequency-division
duplexing (FDD) mode, simultaneous UL and DL transmissions may
occur in different frequency bands. For example, each subframe
includes a UL subframe in a UL frequency band and a DL subframe in
a DL frequency band. In a time-division duplexing (TDD) mode, UL
and DL transmissions occur at different time periods using the same
frequency band. For example, a subset of the subframes (e.g., DL
subframes) in a radio frame may be used for DL transmissions and
another subset of the subframes (e.g., UL subframes) in the radio
frame may be used for UL transmissions.
The DL subframes and the UL subframes can be further divided into
several regions. For example, each DL or UL subframe may have
pre-defined regions for transmissions of reference signals, control
information, and data. Reference signals are pre-determined signals
that facilitate the communications between the BSs 105 and the UEs
115. For example, a reference signal can have a particular pilot
pattern or structure, where pilot tones may span across an
operational bandwidth or frequency band, each positioned at a
pre-defined time and a pre-defined frequency. For example, a BS 105
may transmit cell-specific reference signals (CRSs) and/or channel
state information-reference signals (CSI-RSs) to enable a UE 115 to
estimate a DL channel. Similarly, a UE 115 may transmit sounding
reference signals (SRSs) to enable a BS 105 to estimate a UL
channel. Control information may include resource assignments and
protocol controls. Data may include protocol data and/or
operational data. In some embodiments, the BSs 105 and the UEs 115
may communicate using self-contained subframes. A self-contained
subframe may include a portion for DL communication and a portion
for UL communication. A self-contained subframe can be DL-centric
or UL-centric. A DL-centric subframe may include a longer duration
for DL communication than UL communication. A UL-centric subframe
may include a longer duration for UL communication than UL
communication.
In an embodiment, a UE 115 attempting to access the network 100 may
perform an initial cell search by detecting a primary
synchronization signal (PSS) from a BS 105. The PSS may enable
synchronization of period timing and may indicate a physical layer
identity value. The UE 115 may then receive a secondary
synchronization signal (SSS). The SSS may enable radio frame
synchronization, and may provide a cell identity value, which may
be combined with the physical layer identity value to identify the
cell. The SSS may also enable detection of a duplexing mode and a
cyclic prefix length. Some systems, such as TDD systems, may
transmit an SSS but not a PSS. Both the PSS and the SSS may be
located in a central portion of a carrier, respectively. After
receiving the PSS and SSS, the UE 115 may receive a master
information block (MIB), which may be transmitted in the physical
broadcast channel (PBCH). The MIB may contain system bandwidth
information, a system frame number (SFN), and a Physical Hybrid-ARQ
Indicator Channel (PHICH) configuration. After decoding the MIB,
the UE 115 may receive one or more system information blocks
(SIBs). For example, SIB1 may contain cell access parameters and
scheduling information for other SIBs. Decoding SIB1 may enable the
UE 115 to receive SIB2. SIB2 may contain radio resource
configuration (RRC) configuration information related to random
access channel (RACH) procedures, paging, physical uplink control
channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), power
control, SRS, and cell barring. After obtaining the MIB and/or the
SIBs, the UE 115 can perform random access procedures to establish
a connection with the BS 105. After establishing the connection,
the UE 115 and the BS 105 can enter a normal operation stage, where
operational data may be exchanged.
In some embodiments, the UEs 115 and the BSs 105 may be operated by
multiple network operators or network operating entities and may
operate in a shared radio frequency spectrum, which may include
licensed or unlicensed frequency bands. The shared spectrum may be
time-partitioned for sharing among the multiple network operating
entities to facilitate coordinated communication. For example, in
the network 100, the BS 105a and the UE 115a may be associated with
one network operating entity, while the BS 105b and the UE 115b may
be associated with another network operating entity. By
time-partitioning the shared spectrum according to network
operating entities, the communications between the BS 105a and the
UE 115a and the communications between the BS 105b and the UE 115b
may each occur during respective time periods and may avail
themselves of an entirety of a designated shared spectrum. In
addition, certain time periods may be allocated for certain types
of communication or access over the shared spectrum. Further,
certain resources may be allocated for autonomous transmissions or
override for autonomous transmissions to meet latency requirements
of time-critical data (e.g., physical random access channel (PRACH)
preambles or scheduling requests (SRs)), as described in greater
detail herein.
To support coordinated access of the shared spectrum, a BS 105 or
an entity of the core network 130 may act as a central arbitrator
to manage access and coordinate the partitioning of resources among
different network operating entities operating within the network
100. In some embodiments, the central arbitrator may include a
spectrum access system (SAS). In addition, the transmissions from
the multiple network operating entities can be time synchronized to
facilitate the coordination.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications network
200 that supports priority-based spectrum sharing according to
embodiments of the present disclosure. The network 200 may be
similar to the network 100. FIG. 2 illustrates three BSs 205 and
four UEs 215 for purposes of simplicity of discussion, though it
will be recognized that embodiments of the present disclosure may
scale to many more UEs 215 and/or BSs 205. The BSs 205 and the UEs
215 may be similar to the BSs 105 and the UEs 115, respectively.
The BS 205a serves the UE 215a in a macro cell 240. The BS 205b
serves the UEs 215b and 215d in a pico cell 245 within a coverage
area of the macro cell 240. The BSs 205c serves the UE 215c in
another pico cell 250 within the coverage area of the macro cell
240. The BSs 205 and the UEs 215 may communicate over the same
spectrum.
Due to the different transmission power requirements or
power-classes of nodes (e.g., the BSs 205 and the UEs 215) in the
macro cell 240 and the pico cells 245 and 250, different
power-class nodes may be treated as different network operating
entities and assigned with different priorities for sharing the
spectrum to minimize interference. For example, the BS 205a and the
UE 215a may be treated as one network operating entity (e.g.,
Operator A), the BS 205b and 205c and the UEs 215b-d may be treated
as another network operating entity (e.g., Operator B). In the
present disclosure, the terms network operating entity and operator
may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a particular
priority and/or a particular power class.
The spectrum may be partitioned by classifying time resources into
periods and assigning the periods to different network operating
entities. In some embodiments, certain time periods may be
allocated for exclusive use by a particular network operating
entity. Other time periods may be allocated for prioritized use or
guaranteed use by a particular network operating entity, but may
also be for opportunistic use by the other network operating
entities. In yet other examples, certain time periods may be
designated for opportunistic use by all network operating entities,
for example, to enable additions of network operating entities into
the network 200 in a non-centralized manner. The claiming of the
time periods for prioritized use or opportunistic use may be based
on reservations. In addition, certain resources may be allocated
for autonomous communications by all network operating entities or
a particular network operating entities. Further, autonomous
communications of one network operating entity can simultaneously
occur with other communications of another network operating entity
by managing interference. The autonomous communication mechanisms
are described in greater detail herein.
FIG. 3 illustrates a priority-based spectrum sharing scheme 300
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The x-axis
represents time in some constant units. The y-axis represents
frequency in some constant units. The scheme 300 may be employed by
the BSs 105 and 205 and the UEs 115 and 215. While the scheme 300
illustrates coordinated spectrum access for two different network
operating entities (e.g., Operator A and Operator B), the scheme
300 can be applied to any suitable number of network operating
entities.
In the scheme 300, a shared spectrum over a frequency band 340 is
time-partitioned into superframes 302. Each superframe 302 is
partitioned into exclusive access periods 304 and TXOPs 306. Each
TXOP 306 includes a plurality of channel sensing or clear channel
assessment (CCA) periods 308 at the beginning of the TXOP 306,
followed by a transmission period 310. The exclusive access periods
304, the CCA periods 308, and the transmission period 310 may have
fixed durations. For example, each exclusive access period 304 may
include one or more subframes, each CCA period 308 may include one
or more OFDM symbols, and each transmission period 10 may include
one or more subframes. In some embodiments, a superframe 302 may
correspond to one radio frame (e.g., about 10 milliseconds (ms)
long), each TXOP 306 may have a granularity of a slot 314 (e.g.,
about 500 microseconds (.mu.s) long), and each exclusive access
period 304 may span about 2 slots 314 (e.g., 1 ms long). The
structure of the superframe 302 is pre-determined and known by all
network operating entities sharing the shared spectrum. The network
operating entities may be time-synchronized when operating in the
shared spectrum.
Each exclusive access period 304 is designated for exclusive use by
a particular network operating entity. For example, the exclusive
access period 304a is designated for exclusive communication 321 by
Operator A. Operator B is not allowed to transmit during the
exclusive access period 304a. Similarly, the exclusive access
period 304b is designated for exclusive communication 331 by
Operator B and Operator A is not allowed to transmit during the
exclusive access period 304b. In an embodiment, the exclusive
access period 304 can be used for acquisition and signaling of PSS,
SSS, PBCH, SIB, paging, RACH, and/or time-critical data. In some
other embodiments, an exclusive access period 304 may divided into
multiple regions, each designated for exclusive use by a particular
network operating entity, for example, via time-division
multiplexing (TDM) or frequency-division multiplexing (FDM).
Each CCA period 308 in a TXOP 306 is assigned to a particular
network operating entity. For example, the CCA periods 308a and
308b are assigned to Operators A and B, respectively. The number of
CCA periods 308 in a TXOP 306 may be dependent on the number of
network operating entities in a network. For example, a network
with N network operators may include up to N CCA periods 308 in a
TXOP 306. The CCA periods 308 can be arranged in a TXOP 306 based
on communication or access priorities of the network operating
entities, for example, in a descending order. Thus, each TXOP 306
is prioritized for use by a highest priority network operating
entity, and may be utilized by lower priority network operating
entities on an opportunistic basis if the prioritized network
operating entity does not utilize the resources. In addition, the
priorities of the network operating entities may rotate (e.g., in a
round-robin fashion) among the TXOPs 306 within a superframe
302.
As shown, the TXOP 306a is designated for prioritized
communications 322 by Operator A and opportunistic communications
332 by Operator B. The TXOP 306b is designated for prioritized
communication 333 by Operator B and opportunistic communications
323 by Operator A. Prioritized communication refers to the use of
guaranteed resources, whereas opportunistic communication refers to
opportunistic use of resources not reserved by high priority
operator.
As an example, an Operator A node (e.g., the BS 205a) may transmit
a reservation request (RRQ) signal in the CCA period 308a of the
TXOP 306a to reserve the following transmission period 310a and
communicate with another Operator A node (e.g., the UE 215a) in the
transmission period 310a. The RRQ signal may include a
pre-determined preamble sequence or a RTS signal. In some
embodiments, a target receiving node may respond to the RRQ signal
by sending a reservation response (RRS) signal or a CTS signal. In
some embodiments, the RRQ signal may include a schedule (e.g., a DL
trigger and/or a UL grant) for the transmission period 310a. The
schedule may be referred to as a regular schedule. Operator B nodes
(e.g., the BS 205b and the UE 215b) may listen to the channel
during the CCA period 308a. Upon detection of a RRQ signal and/or
RRS signal from the Operator A node, the Operator B nodes may
refrain from using the transmission period 310a. However, when no
reservation is detected in the CCA period 308a, an Operator B node
(e.g., the BS 205b) may opportunistically use the transmission
period 310a by transmitting a reservation in the CCA period 308b of
the TXOP 306a and communicate with another Operator B node (e.g.,
the UE 215b) in the transmission period 310a. The communication in
the transmission period 310 may be referred to as regular
communication.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary UE 400 according to
embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 400 may be a UE 115
or 215 as discussed above. As shown, the UE 400 may include a
processor 402, a memory 404, an autonomous communication module
408, a transceiver 410 including a modem subsystem 412 and a radio
frequency (RF) unit 414, and an antenna 416. These elements may be
in direct or indirect communication with each other, for example
via one or more buses.
The processor 402 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a
digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any
combination thereof configured to perform the operations described
herein. The processor 402 may also be implemented as a combination
of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a
microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such
configuration.
The memory 404 may include a cache memory (e.g., a cache memory of
the processor 402), random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistive
RAM (MRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory
(PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM),
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash
memory, solid state memory device, hard disk drives, other forms of
volatile and non-volatile memory, or a combination of different
types of memory. In an embodiment, the memory 404 includes a
non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory 404 may store
instructions 406. The instructions 406 may include instructions
that, when executed by the processor 402, cause the processor 402
to perform the operations described herein with reference to the
UEs 215 in connection with embodiments of the present disclosure.
Instructions 406 may also be referred to as code. The terms
"instructions" and "code" should be interpreted broadly to include
any type of computer-readable statement(s). For example, the terms
"instructions" and "code" may refer to one or more programs,
routines, sub-routines, functions, procedures, etc. "Instructions"
and "code" may include a single computer-readable statement or many
computer-readable statements.
The autonomous communication module 408 may be used for various
aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the autonomous
communication module 408 is configured to identify TXOPs in a
shared spectrum, identify autonomous transmission resources in the
TXOPs, perform network listening, reserve time periods for regular
communication and/or autonomous communication over the shared
spectrum, and/or manage interference from autonomous transmission,
as described in greater detail herein.
As shown, the transceiver 410 may include the modem subsystem 412
and the RF unit 414. The transceiver 410 can be configured to
communicate bi-directionally with other devices, such as the BSs
105 and 205. The modem subsystem 412 may be configured to modulate
and/or encode the data from the memory 404 and/or the autonomous
communication module 408 according to a modulation and coding
scheme (MCS), e.g., a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding
scheme, a turbo coding scheme, a convolutional coding scheme, a
digital beamforming scheme, etc. The RF unit 414 may be configured
to process (e.g., perform analog to digital conversion or digital
to analog conversion, etc.) modulated/encoded data from the modem
subsystem 412 (on outbound transmissions) or of transmissions
originating from another source such as a UE 215 or a BS 205. The
RF unit 414 may be further configured to perform analog beamforming
in conjunction with the digital beamforming. Although shown as
integrated together in transceiver 410, the modem subsystem 412 and
the RF unit 414 may be separate devices that are coupled together
at the UE 215 to enable the UE 215 to communicate with other
devices.
The RF unit 414 may provide the modulated and/or processed data,
e.g. data packets (or, more generally, data messages that may
contain one or more data packets and other information), to the
antenna 416 for transmission to one or more other devices. This may
include, for example, transmission of clear-to-send (CTS) signals
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna 416
may further receive data messages transmitted from other devices.
This may include, for example, reception of request-to-send (RTS)
and/or CTS signals according to embodiments of the present
disclosure. The antenna 416 may provide the received data messages
for processing and/or demodulation at the transceiver 410. Although
FIG. 4 illustrates antenna 416 as a single antenna, antenna 416 may
include multiple antennas of similar or different designs in order
to sustain multiple transmission links. The RF unit 414 may
configure the antenna 416.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary BS 500 according to
embodiments of the present disclosure. The BS 500 may be a BS 105
or 205 as discussed above. A shown, the BS 500 may include a
processor 502, a memory 504, an autonomous communication module
508, a transceiver 510 including a modem subsystem 512 and a RF
unit 514, and an antenna 516. These elements may be in direct or
indirect communication with each other, for example via one or more
buses.
The processor 502 may have various features as a specific-type
processor. For example, these may include a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a
controller, a FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware
device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the
operations described herein. The processor 502 may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
The memory 504 may include a cache memory (e.g., a cache memory of
the processor 502), RAM, MRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash
memory, a solid state memory device, one or more hard disk drives,
memristor-based arrays, other forms of volatile and non-volatile
memory, or a combination of different types of memory. In some
embodiments, the memory 504 may include a non-transitory
computer-readable medium. The memory 504 may store instructions
506. The instructions 506 may include instructions that, when
executed by the processor 502, cause the processor 502 to perform
operations described herein. Instructions 506 may also be referred
to as code, which may be interpreted broadly to include any type of
computer-readable statement(s) as discussed above with respect to
FIG. 5.
The autonomous communication module 508 may be used for various
aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the autonomous
communication module 508 is configured to identify TXOPs in a
shared spectrum, identify autonomous transmission frequency bands
in the TXOPs, perform network listening, reserve time periods for
regular communication and/or autonomous communication over the
shared spectrum, as described in greater detail herein.
As shown, the transceiver 510 may include the modem subsystem 512
and the RF unit 514. The transceiver 510 can be configured to
communicate bi-directionally with other devices, such as the UEs
115 and 215 and/or another core network element. The modem
subsystem 512 may be configured to modulate and/or encode data
according to a MCS, e.g., a LDPC coding scheme, a turbo coding
scheme, a convolutional coding scheme, a digital beamforming
scheme, etc. The RF unit 514 may be configured to process (e.g.,
perform analog to digital conversion or digital to analog
conversion, etc.) modulated/encoded data from the modem subsystem
512 (on outbound transmissions) or of transmissions originating
from another source such as a UE 215. The RF unit 514 may be
further configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction
with the digital beamforming. Although shown as integrated together
in transceiver 510, the modem subsystem 512 and the RF unit 514 may
be separate devices that are coupled together at the BS 205 to
enable the BS 205 to communicate with other devices.
The RF unit 514 may provide the modulated and/or processed data,
e.g. data packets (or, more generally, data messages that may
contain one or more data packets and other information), to the
antenna 516 for transmission to one or more other devices. This may
include, for example, transmission of information to complete
attachment to a network and communication with a camped UE 215
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna 516
may further receive data messages transmitted from other devices
and provide the received data messages for processing and/or
demodulation at the transceiver 510. Although FIG. 5 illustrates
antenna 516 as a single antenna, antenna 516 may include multiple
antennas of similar or different designs in order to sustain
multiple transmission links.
FIGS. 6-9 illustrate various UL autonomous data transmission
mechanisms based on the superframe 302 structure of the scheme 300
and may be employed by the BSs 105 and 205 and the UEs 115 and 215.
While FIGS. 6-9 illustrate UL autonomous communications by two
operators (e.g., Operator A and Operator B), for purposes of
simplicity of discussion, though it will be recognized that
embodiments of the present disclosure may scale to many more UEs
215 and/or BSs 205. In FIGS. 7-9, the x-axes represent time in some
constant units, and the y-axes represent frequency in some constant
units.
FIG. 6 illustrates a UL autonomous transmission scheme 600
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In the scheme
600, a network operating entity (e.g., the BSs 105 and 205) may
reserve some TXOPs 306 (e.g., based on a certain duty cycle) for UL
autonomous transmissions regardless of whether any UEs (e.g., the
UEs 115 and 215) may have UL autonomous data for transmission. As
an example, Operator A has priority over Operator B in the TXOP
306a. At step 610, the BS 205a may determine to reserve the TXOP
306a for UL autonomous transmission, for example, based on a
pre-determined duty cycle. At step 620, the BS 205a may transmit a
RRQ and/or RRS signal in the CCA period 308a of the TXOP 306a to
reserve the TXOP 306a. At step 630, the BS 205b may monitor the CCA
period 308a. At step 640, upon detection of the RRQ and/or RRS
signal from the BS 205a, the BS 205b may yield access to the high
priority BS 205a and refrain from using the TOXP 306a. At step 650,
if the UE 215a has UL autonomous data for transmission, the UE 215a
may transmit the UL autonomous data to the BS 205a during the
reserved TXOP 306a. However, if the UE 215b has no UL autonomous
data ready for transmission, the TXOP 306a may be left unused.
By reserving TXOPs 306 for UL autonomous communications, the scheme
600 provides additional transmission opportunities for RACH data,
URLLC data, and/or time-critical data instead of limiting
autonomous transmissions in the assigned exclusive access periods
304. Thus, the scheme 600 may meet the latency requirements for the
autonomous transmissions. However, the TXOPs 306 are reserved
without prior knowledge of whether there is UL autonomous data from
the UEs. Thus, the scheme 600 may reserve more TXOPs 306 than
required. In addition, when there is no UL autonomous data in a
reserved TXOP 306, the reservation of the TXOP 306 prevents other
network operating entities (e.g., Operator B) with data for
transmissions from using the medium during the reserved TXOP 306.
Thus, the scheme 600 may be inefficient in resource
utilization.
FIG. 7 illustrates a UL autonomous data transmission scheme 700
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme 700
allocates or configures a fraction of frequency resources in a
shared spectrum based on a duty cycle (e.g., at every 5 ms) for all
network operating entities to transmit UL autonomous data. For
example, in some TXOPs 306, the frequency band 340 of the shared
spectrum is divided into two frequency bands 342 and 346. The
frequency bands 342 and 346 may be separated by a guard band 344 to
mitigate adjacent band interference. The configuration of the
frequency bands 342 and 346 are known to all network operating
entities. The frequency band 342 may be shared by multiple network
operating entities for regular communications based on priorities
and reservations as described in the scheme 300. For example,
Operator A may have prioritized access for regular communication
over the frequency band 342 in the TXOP 306a, while Operator B may
have opportunistic access for regular communication over the
frequency band 342 in the TXOP 306a.
The frequency band 346 is a dedicated frequency band designated for
UL autonomous data transmissions by all network operating entities.
The frequency band 346 may occupy a fraction of the frequency band
340. In an embodiment, the frequency band 346 may span a bandwidth
(e.g., about 5 MHz) sufficient for PRACH transmissions. The network
operating entities may contend for a resource in the frequency band
346 for transmitting UL autonomous data. In an embodiment, the UL
autonomous data are PRACH preambles, where different network
operating entities can be differentiated by using different PRACH
preamble sequences. It should be noted that the CCA periods 308
span the entire frequency band 340. Thus, the UL autonomous
communications can occur during the transmission period 310, and
not during the CCA periods 308.
As an example, the BS 205a (e.g., Operator A) has gained access to
the TXOP 306a by employing the reservation mechanisms described in
the scheme 300 and uses the TXOP 306a for both DL and UL
communications. The transmission period 310a is divided into a
plurality of consecutive DL subframes 702 followed by a plurality
of UL consecutive subframes 704 in the shared frequency band 342.
Each DL subframe 702 or UL subframe 704 may have a granularity of a
slot 314. Each DL subframe 702 may include a DL control portion 705
and a DL data portion 706. The last DL subframe 702 may further
include a UL control portion 707. The first UL subframe 704 may
include a DL control portion 705 and a UL data portion 708.
Subsequent UL subframes may include UL data portions 708.
In each DL subframe 702, the BS 205a may transmit a DL control 710
in the DL control portion 705 and DL data 712 in the DL data
portions 706. The DL control 710 may indicate DL resource
allocations or scheduling information for the following DL data
portion 706. The DL data 712 may be transmitted according to the DL
resource allocations. The DL data 712 may be referred to as
scheduled or regular DL data, which may not be time-critical. In
the last DL subframe 702, the UE 215a may transmit a UL control 714
in the UL control portion 707. The UL control 714 may indicate a
scheduling request (SR), hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)
information, and/or channel quality indicator (CQI)
information.
In the first UL subframe 704, the BS 205a may transmit a DL control
720 in the DL control portion 705 to indicate UL resource
allocations or scheduling information in the following UL data
portions 708 or UL subframes 704. For example, the BS 205a may
schedule the UE 215a to transmit in the following UL data portions
708. Thus, the UE 215a may transmit UL data 724 in the UL data
portions 708 based on the schedule. The UL data 724 may be referred
to as scheduled or regular UL data, which may not be
time-critical.
In the transmission period 310a, a UE may contend to transmit UL
autonomous data in the frequency band 346 when a serving BS is not
in active transmission. A UE may determine whether a serving BS is
active or has gained access to a particular TOXP 306 by monitoring
the channel (e.g., the shared spectrum) in the CCA periods 308.
When the serving BS has access in the particular TXOP 306, the UE
may detect CRS and DL control information to determine the format
of the transmission period 310 (e.g., the locations of the DL
subframes 702 and the UL subframes 704). For example, the UE 215a
or another UE served by the BS 205a may monitor the CCA period 308a
and determine that the BS 205a is active during the transmission
period 310a. Thus, the UE 215a or the another UE may contend to
transmit UL autonomous data 730 in the frequency band 346 any time
during the UL subframes 704.
When a UE determines that a serving BS is inactive during a
particular TXOP 306, the UE may contend to transmit UL autonomous
data in the frequency band 346 at any time during the transmission
period 310 of the particular TXOP 306. For example, the UE 215b or
another UE served by the BS 205b may monitor the CCA periods 308
and determine that the BS 205b is not active in the TXOP 306a.
Thus, the UE 215b or the another UE may contend to transmit UL
autonomous data 732 in the frequency band 346 any time during the
transmission period 310a. As shown, the UL autonomous data 732 is
transmitted during a DL subframe 702.
FIG. 8 illustrates a UL autonomous data transmission scheme 800
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme 800
allocates or configures a portion of resources at the beginning of
some TXOPs 306 based on a duty cycle for a corresponding
prioritized network operating entity to transmit UL autonomous
data. For example, the transmission period 310 of a TXOP 306 may be
divided into two portions 802 and 804. The portion 802 at the
beginning of the transmission period 310 is designated for UL
autonomous transmission by a corresponding prioritized network
operating entity without a prior reservation. The portion 804 may
be shared by multiple network operating entities for regular
communications based on priorities and reservations as described in
the scheme 300. For example, Operator A has priority over Operator
B in the TXOP 306a. Thus, the portion 802 may be used by Operator A
node (e.g., the UE 215a) to transmit UL autonomous data. In the
portion 804, Operator A may have prioritized access for regular
communication, while Operator B may have opportunistic access for
regular communication.
As an example, the UE 215a may transmit UL autonomous data (e.g., a
PRACH preamble) 810 during the portion 802 regardless of whether
the BS 205a has reserved the TXOP 306a. If the BS 205a did not
reserve the TXOP 306a, the BS 205b may opportunistically reserve
the TXOP 306a for regular communications. However, the BS 205b
needs to vacate the portion 802 for UL autonomous communication by
Operator A. As shown, the BS 205b communicates regular or scheduled
data 820 with the UE 215b in the portion 804.
FIG. 9 illustrates a UL autonomous data transmission scheme 900
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheme 900
allows a network operating entity to transmit UL autonomous data in
a TXOP 306 regardless of whether the TXOP 306 is reserved by
another network operating entity for communications. The scheme 900
manages interference such that the UL autonomous data transmission
may cause little or no interference to the regular communications.
In FIG. 9, the patterned boxes represent transmit signals and the
empty boxes represent receive signals. The dashed boxes are
included as references to the structure of the TXOP 306 frame
structure without signal transmission or reception. As an example,
Operator A has priority over Operator B in the TXOP 306a. The BS
205a may transmit a RRQ signal 910 in the CCA period 308a to
reserve the transmission period 310a for DL communication with the
UE 215a. The UE 215a may detect the RRQ signal 910 and respond with
a RRS signal 912. When the BS 205a expects to receive a UL
transmission, the BS 205a may also send a RRS signal. Subsequently,
the BS 205a and the UE 215a may proceed with regular communications
in the transmission period 310a. For example, the BS 205a and the
UE 215a may communicate a DL signal 914 (e.g., the DL control
signals 710 and the DL data signals 712) and a UL signal 916 (e.g.,
the UL control signal 714) in the transmission period 310a.
In one embodiment, the UE 215b may listen to the medium (e.g., the
shared spectrum) during the CCA periods 308 and may detect the RRQ
signal 910 and/or the RRS signal 912 from Operator A. When the UE
215b has UL autonomous data (e.g., a PRACH preamble) 920 for
transmission, the UE 215b may transmit the UL autonomous data 920
in the transmission period 310a while the BS 205a exchanges regular
communications with the UE 215a and rely on interference
cancellation of Operator A to cancel interference caused by the
transmission of the UL autonomous data 920.
In another embodiment, the UE 215b may determine a maximum
allowable transmit power level for the UL autonomous transmission
based on the received signal power of the RRQ signal 910 and/or RRS
signal 912. The UE 215b may transmit UL autonomous data 920 at a
lower power level (e.g., according to the determined maximum
allowable transmit power level) to reduce or minimize interference
to the regular communications of Operator A. The BS 205a may
receive and decode the UL autonomous data 920. It should be noted
that a PRACH preamble can be detected at a substantially low power
level.
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method 1000 for autonomous
communication over a shared spectrum according to embodiments of
the present disclosure. Steps of the method 1000 can be executed by
a computing device (e.g., a processor, processing circuit, and/or
other suitable component) of a wireless communication device, such
as the BSs 105, 205, and 500 and the UEs 115, 215, and 400. The
method 1000 may employ similar mechanisms as in the schemes 300,
700, and 800 described with respect to FIGS. 3, 7, and 8,
respectively. As illustrated, the method 1000 includes a number of
enumerated steps, but embodiments of the method 1000 may include
additional steps before, after, and in between the enumerated
steps. In some embodiments, one or more of the enumerated steps may
be omitted or performed in a different order.
At step 1010, the method 1000 includes identifying a TXOP (e.g.,
the TXOP 306) in a shared spectrum (e.g., over the frequency band
340) shared by the plurality of network operating entities (e.g.,
Operator A and Operator B). For example, the wireless communication
device (e.g., the BS 205a or the UE 215a) is associated with a
first network operating entity (e.g., Operator A) of the plurality
of the network operating entities.
At step 1020, the method 1000 includes identifying a resource
(e.g., the dedicated frequency band 346 of the scheme 700 or the
portion 802 of the scheme 800) in the TXOP designated for
autonomous communication.
At step 1030, the method 1000 includes communicating autonomous
data (e.g., the autonomous data 730, 732, 810, and 920) with a
second wireless communication device (e.g., the UE 215a or the BS
205a) associated with the first network operating entity during the
TXOP. The autonomous data may include UL URLLC data, SR, or a PRACH
preamble) and may be communicated based on the schemes 300, 700
and/or 800.
FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method 1100 for autonomous
communication over a shared spectrum according to embodiments of
the present disclosure. Steps of the method 1100 can be executed by
a computing device (e.g., a processor, processing circuit, and/or
other suitable component) of a wireless communication device, such
as the BSs 105, 205, and 500 and the UEs 115, 215, and 400. The
method 1100 may employ similar mechanisms as in the schemes 300,
600, and 900 described with respect to FIGS. 3, 6, and 9,
respectively. As illustrated, the method 1100 includes a number of
enumerated steps, but embodiments of the method 1100 may include
additional steps before, after, and in between the enumerated
steps. In some embodiments, one or more of the enumerated steps may
be omitted or performed in a different order.
At step 1110, the method 1100 includes identifying a TXOP (e.g.,
the TXOP 306) in a shared spectrum (e.g., over the frequency band
340) shared by the plurality of network operating entities (e.g.,
Operator A and Operator B). For example, the wireless communication
device (e.g., the BS 205a or the UE 215a) is associated with a
first network operating entity (e.g., Operator A) of the plurality
of the network operating entities.
At step 1120, the method 1100 includes communicating autonomous
data (e.g., the autonomous data 730, 732, 810, and 920) with a
second wireless communication device (e.g., the UE 215a or the BS
205a) associated with the first network operating entity during the
TXOP without a priori reservation for the TXOP. The autonomous data
may include UL URLLC data, SR, or a PRACH preamble) and may be
communicated based on the schemes 300, 600, and/or 900.
Information and signals may be represented using any of a variety
of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,
instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and
chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may
be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves,
magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any
combination thereof.
The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection
with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a
general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other
programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose
processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the
processor may be any conventional processor, controller,
microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration).
The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware,
software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination
thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the
functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more
instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples
and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and
appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software,
functions described above can be implemented using software
executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or
combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may
also be physically located at various positions, including being
distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at
different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in
the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (for example, a list of
items prefaced by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or
more of") indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a
list of [at least one of A, B, or C] means A or B or C or AB or AC
or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include a method of
wireless communication including identifying, by a first wireless
communication device associated with a first network operating
entity of a plurality of network operating entities, a transmission
opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by the plurality of
network operating entities; identifying, by the first wireless
communication device, a resource in the TXOP designated for
autonomous communication; and communicating, by the first wireless
communication device with a second wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, autonomous data
during the TXOP using the resource.
The method further includes wherein the resource includes a
frequency band in the shared spectrum, and wherein the frequency
band is shared by the plurality of network operating entities for
the autonomous communication. The method further includes wherein
the communicating the autonomous data during the TXOP includes
transmitting, by the first wireless communication device to the
second wireless communication device in an uplink (UL) direction,
the autonomous data. The method further includes monitoring, by the
first wireless communication device in a sensing period of the
TXOP, for a reservation for regular communication during the TXOP
from the second wireless communication device; and contending, by
the first wireless communication device, for the resource in the
frequency band during the TXOP when there is no reservation for
regular communication during the TXOP from the second wireless
communication device. The method further includes detecting, by the
first wireless communication device, a reservation for regular
communication during the TXOP from the second wireless
communication device; and contending, by the first wireless
communication device, for the resource in the frequency band during
a UL portion of the TXOP. The method further includes wherein the
communicating the autonomous data during the TXOP includes
receiving, by the first wireless communication device from the
second wireless communication device in an uplink (UL) direction,
the autonomous data. The method further includes wherein the
resource includes a time period in the TXOP designated for the
autonomous communication by the first network operating entity. The
method further includes wherein the autonomous data is communicated
without a prior reservation for the TXOP. The method further
includes wherein the first network operating entity has priority
among the plurality of network operating entities in the TXOP. The
method further includes transmitting, by the first wireless
communication device, a reservation signal to reserve another TXOP
for regular communication, wherein the another TXOP includes a
first time period and a second time period, and wherein the first
time period is designated for autonomous communication; and
communicating, by the first wireless communication device with a
third wireless communication device associated with the first
network operating entity, regular data during the second time
period. The method further includes wherein a second network
operating entity of the plurality of network operating entities has
priority among the plurality of network operating entities in the
another TXOP, and wherein the first time period of the another TXOP
is designated for the autonomous communication by the second
network operating entity. The method further includes wherein the
autonomous data includes at least one of a random access preamble
sequence or a scheduling request. The method further includes
wherein the autonomous data includes the random access preamble
sequence, and wherein the random access preamble sequence is
associated with the first network operating entity. The method
further includes wherein the autonomous data includes the random
access preamble sequence, and wherein the random access preamble
sequence is associated with the plurality of network operating
entities.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include a method of
wireless communication including identifying, by a first wireless
communication device associated with a first network operating
entity of a plurality of network operating entities, a transmission
opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by the plurality of
network operating entities; and communicating, by the first
wireless communication device, with a second wireless communication
device associated with the first network operating entity,
autonomous data in the TXOP without a prior reservation for the
TXOP.
The method further includes wherein the communicating the
autonomous data includes transmitting, by the first wireless
communication device to the second wireless communication device,
the autonomous data in the TXOP. The method further includes
detecting, by the first wireless communication device, a
reservation signal indicating a reservation for the TXOP from a
second network operating entity of the plurality of network
operating entities; and determining, by the first wireless
communication device, a transmit power level according to a
received power level of the reservation signal, wherein the
autonomous data is transmitted at the transmit power level. The
method further includes wherein the communicating the autonomous
data includes receiving, by the first wireless communication device
from the second wireless communication device, the autonomous data
in the TXOP. The method further includes communicating, by the
first wireless communication device with a third wireless
communication device associated with the first network operating
entity, a reservation for another TXOP for regular communication;
receiving, by the first wireless communication device from the
third wireless communication device, a signal carrying regular data
during the another TXOP; and canceling, by the first wireless
communication device, interference from the signal carrying the
regular data, wherein the interference is associated with
autonomous transmission of a second network operating entity of the
plurality of network operating entities. The method further
includes transmitting, by the first wireless communication device,
a reservation to reserve another TXOP for autonomous communication.
The method further includes receiving, by the first wireless
communication device from a third wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, autonomous data
during the another TXOP. The method further includes wherein the
autonomous data includes a random access preamble sequence.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include an apparatus
comprising a processor configured to identify a transmission
opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by a plurality of
network operating entities, wherein the apparatus is associated
with a first network operating entity of the plurality of network
operating entities; and identify a resource in the TXOP designated
for autonomous communication; and a transceiver configured to
communicate, with a second wireless communication device associated
with the first network operating entity, autonomous data during the
TXOP using the resource.
The apparatus further includes wherein the resource includes a
frequency band in the shared spectrum, and wherein the frequency
band is shared by the plurality of network operating entities for
the autonomous communication. The apparatus further includes
wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate the
autonomous data during the TXOP by transmitting, to the second
wireless communication device in an uplink (UL) direction, the
autonomous data. The apparatus further includes wherein the
processor is further configured to monitor, in a sensing period of
the TXOP, for a reservation for regular communication during the
TXOP from the second wireless communication device; and contend for
the resource in the frequency band during the TXOP when there is no
reservation for regular communication during the TXOP from the
second wireless communication device. The apparatus further
includes wherein the processor is further configured to detect a
reservation for regular communication during the TXOP from the
second wireless communication device; and contend for the resource
in the frequency band during a UL portion of the TXOP. The
apparatus further includes wherein the processor is further
configured to communicate the autonomous data during the TXOP by
receiving, from the second wireless communication device in an
uplink (UL) direction, the autonomous data. The apparatus further
includes wherein the resource includes a time period in the TXOP
designated for the autonomous communication by the first network
operating entity. The apparatus further includes wherein the
autonomous data is communicated without a prior reservation for the
TXOP. The apparatus further includes wherein the first network
operating entity has priority among the plurality of network
operating entities in the TXOP. The apparatus further includes
wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a
reservation signal to reserve another TXOP for regular
communication, wherein the another TXOP includes a first time
period and a second time period, and wherein the first time period
is designated for autonomous communication; and communicate, with a
third wireless communication device associated with the first
network operating entity, regular data during the second time
period. The apparatus further includes wherein a second network
operating entity of the plurality of network operating entities has
priority among the plurality of network operating entities in the
another TXOP, and wherein the first time period of the another TXOP
is designated for the autonomous communication by the second
network operating entity. The apparatus further includes wherein
the autonomous data includes at least one of a random access
preamble sequence or a scheduling request. The apparatus further
includes wherein the autonomous data includes the random access
preamble sequence, and wherein the random access preamble sequence
is associated with the first network operating entity. The
apparatus further includes wherein the autonomous data includes the
random access preamble sequence, and wherein the random access
preamble sequence is associated with the plurality of network
operating entities.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include an apparatus
including a processor configured to identify a transmission
opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by a plurality of
network operating entities, wherein the apparatus is associated
with a first network operating entity of the plurality of network
operating entities; and a transceiver configured to communicate,
with a second wireless communication device associated with the
first network operating entity, autonomous data in the TXOP without
a prior reservation for the TXOP.
The apparatus further includes wherein the processor is further
configured to communicate the autonomous data by transmitting, to
the second wireless communication device, the autonomous data in
the TXOP. The apparatus further includes wherein the processor is
further configured to detect a reservation signal indicating a
reservation for the TXOP from a second network operating entity of
the plurality of network operating entities; and determine a
transmit power level according to a received power level of the
reservation signal, wherein the autonomous data is transmitted at
the transmit power level. The apparatus further includes wherein
the processor is further configured to communicate the autonomous
data by receiving, from the second wireless communication device,
the autonomous data in the TXOP. The apparatus further includes
wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate, with
a third wireless communication device associated with the first
network operating entity, a reservation for another TXOP for
regular communication; receive, from the third wireless
communication device, a signal carrying regular data during the
another TXOP; and cancel interference from the signal carrying the
regular data, wherein the interference is associated with
autonomous transmission of a second network operating entity of the
plurality of network operating entities. The apparatus further
includes wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit
a reservation to reserve another TXOP for autonomous communication.
The apparatus further includes wherein the transceiver is further
configured to receive, from a third wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, autonomous data
during the another TXOP. The apparatus further includes wherein the
autonomous data includes a random access preamble sequence.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include a
computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the
program code including code for causing a first wireless
communication device associated with a first network operating
entity of a plurality of network operating entities to identify a
transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared spectrum shared by the
plurality of network operating entities; code for causing the first
wireless communication device to identify a resource in the TXOP
designated for autonomous communication; and code for causing the
first wireless communication device to communicate with a second
wireless communication device associated with the first network
operating entity, autonomous data during the TXOP using the
resource.
The computer-readable medium further includes wherein the resource
includes a frequency band in the shared spectrum, and wherein the
frequency band is shared by the plurality of network operating
entities for the autonomous communication. The computer-readable
medium further includes wherein the code for communicating the
autonomous data during the TXOP is further configured to transmit,
by the first wireless communication device to the second wireless
communication device in an uplink (UL) direction, the autonomous
data. The computer-readable medium further includes code for
causing the first wireless communication device to monitor, in a
sensing period of the TXOP, for a reservation for regular
communication during the TXOP from the second wireless
communication device; and code for causing the first wireless
communication device to contend for the resource in the frequency
band during the TXOP when there is no reservation for regular
communication during the TXOP from the second wireless
communication device. The computer-readable medium further includes
code for causing the first wireless communication device to detect
a reservation for regular communication during the TXOP from the
second wireless communication device; and code for causing the
first wireless communication device to contend for the resource in
the frequency band during a UL portion of the TXOP. The
computer-readable medium further includes wherein the code for
communicating the autonomous data during the TXOP is further
configured to receive, by the first wireless communication device
from the second wireless communication device in an uplink (UL)
direction, the autonomous data. The computer-readable medium
further includes wherein the resource includes a time period in the
TXOP designated for the autonomous communication by the first
network operating entity. The computer-readable medium further
includes wherein the autonomous data is communicated without a
prior reservation for the TXOP. The computer-readable medium
further includes wherein the first network operating entity has
priority among the plurality of network operating entities in the
TXOP. The computer-readable medium further includes code for
causing the first wireless communication device to transmit a
reservation signal to reserve another TXOP for regular
communication, wherein the another TXOP includes a first time
period and a second time period, and wherein the first time period
is designated for autonomous communication; and code for causing
the first wireless communication device to communicate, with a
third wireless communication device associated with the first
network operating entity, regular data during the second time
period. The computer-readable medium further includes wherein a
second network operating entity of the plurality of network
operating entities has priority among the plurality of network
operating entities in the another TXOP, and wherein the first time
period of the another TXOP is designated for the autonomous
communication by the second network operating entity. The
computer-readable medium further includes wherein the autonomous
data includes at least one of a random access preamble sequence or
a scheduling request. The computer-readable medium further includes
wherein the autonomous data includes the random access preamble
sequence, and wherein the random access preamble sequence is
associated with the first network operating entity. The
computer-readable medium further includes wherein the autonomous
data includes the random access preamble sequence, and wherein the
random access preamble sequence is associated with the plurality of
network operating entities.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include a
computer-readable medium of wireless communication including code
for causing a first wireless communication device associated with a
first network operating entity of a plurality of network operating
entities to identify a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a shared
spectrum shared by the plurality of network operating entities; and
code for causing the first wireless communication device to
communicate, with a second wireless communication device associated
with the first network operating entity, autonomous data in the
TXOP without a prior reservation for the TXOP.
The computer-readable medium further includes wherein the code for
communicating the autonomous data is further configured to
transmit, to the second wireless communication device, the
autonomous data in the TXOP. The computer-readable medium further
includes code for causing the first wireless communication device
to detect a reservation signal indicating a reservation for the
TXOP from a second network operating entity of the plurality of
network operating entities; and code for causing the first wireless
communication device to determine a transmit power level according
to a received power level of the reservation signal, wherein the
autonomous data is transmitted at the transmit power level. The
computer-readable medium further includes wherein the code for
communicating the autonomous data is further configured to receive,
by the first wireless communication device from the second wireless
communication device, the autonomous data in the TXOP. The
computer-readable medium further includes code for causing the
first wireless communication device to communicate, with a third
wireless communication device associated with the first network
operating entity, a reservation for another TXOP for regular
communication; code for causing the first wireless communication
device to receive, from the third wireless communication device, a
signal carrying regular data during the another TXOP; and code for
causing the first wireless communication device to cancel
interference from the signal carrying the regular data, wherein the
interference is associated with autonomous transmission of a second
network operating entity of the plurality of network operating
entities. The computer-readable medium further includes code for
causing the first wireless communication device to transmit a
reservation to reserve another TXOP for autonomous communication.
The computer-readable medium further includes code for causing the
first wireless communication device to receive, from a third
wireless communication device associated with the first network
operating entity, autonomous data during the another TXOP. The
computer-readable medium further includes wherein the autonomous
data includes a random access preamble sequence.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include an apparatus
including means for identifying a transmission opportunity (TXOP)
in a shared spectrum shared by a plurality of network operating
entities, wherein the apparatus is associated with a first network
operating entity of the plurality of network operating entities;
and means for identifying a resource in the TXOP designated for
autonomous communication; and means for communicating, with a
second wireless communication device associated with the first
network operating entity, autonomous data during the TXOP using the
resource.
The apparatus further includes wherein the resource includes a
frequency band in the shared spectrum, and wherein the frequency
band is shared by the plurality of network operating entities for
the autonomous communication. The apparatus further includes
wherein the means for communicating the autonomous data during the
TXOP is further configured to transmit, to the second wireless
communication device in an uplink (UL) direction, the autonomous
data. The apparatus further includes means for monitoring, in a
sensing period of the TXOP, for a reservation for regular
communication during the TXOP from the second wireless
communication device; and means for contending for the resource in
the frequency band during the TXOP when there is no reservation for
regular communication during the TXOP from the second wireless
communication device. The apparatus further includes means for
detecting a reservation for regular communication during the TXOP
from the second wireless communication device; and means for
contending for the resource in the frequency band during a UL
portion of the TXOP. The apparatus further includes wherein the
means for communicating the autonomous data during the TXOP is
further configured to receive, from the second wireless
communication device in an uplink (UL) direction, the autonomous
data. The apparatus further includes wherein the resource includes
a time period in the TXOP designated for the autonomous
communication by the first network operating entity. The apparatus
further includes wherein the autonomous data is communicated
without a prior reservation for the TXOP. The apparatus further
includes wherein the first network operating entity has priority
among the plurality of network operating entities in the TXOP. The
apparatus further includes means for transmitting a reservation
signal to reserve another TXOP for regular communication, wherein
the another TXOP includes a first time period and a second time
period, and wherein the first time period is designated for
autonomous communication; and means for communicating, with a third
wireless communication device associated with the first network
operating entity, regular data during the second time period. The
apparatus further includes wherein a second network operating
entity of the plurality of network operating entities has priority
among the plurality of network operating entities in the another
TXOP, and wherein the first time period of the another TXOP is
designated for the autonomous communication by the second network
operating entity. The apparatus further includes wherein the
autonomous data includes at least one of a random access preamble
sequence or a scheduling request. The apparatus further includes
wherein the autonomous data includes the random access preamble
sequence, and wherein the random access preamble sequence is
associated with the first network operating entity. The apparatus
further includes wherein the autonomous data includes the random
access preamble sequence, and wherein the random access preamble
sequence is associated with the plurality of network operating
entities.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include an apparatus
including means for identifying a transmission opportunity (TXOP)
in a shared spectrum shared by a plurality of network operating
entities, wherein the apparatus is associated with a first network
operating entity of the plurality of network operating entities;
and means for communicating, with a second wireless communication
device associated with the first network operating entity,
autonomous data in the TXOP without a prior reservation for the
TXOP.
The apparatus further includes wherein the means for communicating
the autonomous data is further configured to transmit, to the
second wireless communication device, the autonomous data in the
TXOP. The apparatus further includes means for detecting a
reservation signal indicating a reservation for the TXOP from a
second network operating entity of the plurality of network
operating entities; and means for determining a transmit power
level according to a received power level of the reservation
signal, wherein the autonomous data is transmitted at the transmit
power level. The apparatus further includes wherein the means for
communicating the autonomous data is further configured to
receiving, from the second wireless communication device, the
autonomous data in the TXOP. The apparatus further includes means
for communicating, with a third wireless communication device
associated with the first network operating entity, a reservation
for another TXOP for regular communication; means for receiving,
from the third wireless communication device, a signal carrying
regular data during the another TXOP; and means for cancelling
interference from the signal carrying the regular data, wherein the
interference is associated with autonomous transmission of a second
network operating entity of the plurality of network operating
entities. The apparatus further includes means for transmitting a
reservation to reserve another TXOP for autonomous communication.
The apparatus further includes means for receiving, from a third
wireless communication device associated with the first network
operating entity, autonomous data during the another TXOP. The
apparatus further includes wherein the autonomous data includes a
random access preamble sequence.
As those of some skill in this art will by now appreciate and
depending on the particular application at hand, many
modifications, substitutions and variations can be made in and to
the materials, apparatus, configurations and methods of use of the
devices of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit
and scope thereof. In light of this, the scope of the present
disclosure should not be limited to that of the particular
embodiments illustrated and described herein, as they are merely by
way of some examples thereof, but rather, should be fully
commensurate with that of the claims appended hereafter and their
functional equivalents.
* * * * *
References